Before getting to this point in the game, Sheldon Walters lost his cool

TORTOLA—Sheldon Walters put aside an unsportsmanlike display that delayed Saturday’s first set by 12 minutes while he questioned one of referee Humphrey Leue’s call on a let—even asking for a rule book before he would resume play—then capitalized on Dion Anselm’s unforced errors for a 3-peat victory in the Nagico National Tennis Championships at the Tortola Sports Club in Pasea.

Anselm asked Leue for a let and got the call in his favor, leading to Walters’ lengthy discussion and refusal to play when asked to resume the game, although several persons suggested he get on with the game, but he wouldn’t budge.

“Humphrey made an error in judgment by awarding a let when there was no reason for it and I just had to state my point because as a player, I have the right not to be cheated,” Walters reasoned. “You have to know the rules whenever you play sports and that’s the basis of any organized game. So anybody who wants to play should always check the rules.”

 

Dion Anselm returns a forehand against Sheldon Walters

Anselm who lost 4-6, 7-6 (13) and 4-6, said the 12 minute delay which cooled him down, threw off his first set. “But, I came back in the second set and won it, however, in the third set I played badly,” Anselm admitted. “He was on top of his game. There was a lot of pressure and the unforced errors came up. But, I also think it was tiredness. I must honestly say that I was out of shape. I definitely need to get back on the beach, running in water and on the sand to get back my energy.”

Walters describes Anselm as a ‘tenacious player who attacks the nets often.’ “I thought I would do a better job of hitting my returns against him, but, he served well,” Walters noted. “I wasn’t as sharp as I would have liked to be, but I managed to pull it out. I’m glad that’s three in a row and I’m glad to make that happen.”

Walters stopped Ken Adamson, 6-4, 6-0 to advance to the finals, while Anselm beat Percy Rhoden, 6-0, 6-4 in his semifinal.

Carol Mitchell had a 6-0, 6-0, victory over Sally Rochester for the women’s singles crown. Lyn Sorrentino was a 6-2, 6-4 winner over Linda Romney in the women’s plate final, while James Warburton downed Mark McDonald, 6-1,6-2 in the men’s equivalent.